Sunday, April 24, 2011

Life, death, hand in hand

No special rules conform them

Each profoundly real

Today the Icelandic part of the family is in deep mourning at the loss of an Uncle, Brother, Father, Husband, Friend... a vibrant part of the family who has gone away to that mysterious, unreachable place we all will discover in our own time. Gunnar first became known to me on my virgin visit to Iceland where, amidst the blur of Icelandic relatives, he stood out like a sparkling gem with his sky blue eyes twinkling in hidden mirth when directed at me. After meeting one of his daughters Asa, I was introduced to the further magical qualities of this man: he was a friend to Ravens! Passionately loving the outdoors, he befriended a Raven, who came to be tame enough to sit right on Gunnar's shoulder... I drool with envy at the thought. I didn't know him for very long, but in that abbreviated length of time, he grew to legend purportions in my heart. I know he leaves a great family - large, loving, and now adrift without his loving direction. I just wanted to say "Peace Gunnar", and may the Ravens of Odin guide you to your destiny.